To improve access, the province is providing emergency funding of up to $12 million to immediately expand online and virtual mental health supports and $2.6 million to hire six new psychologists and other mental health workers to support Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) personnel.
News Release:
English: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-increasing-mental-health-support-during-covid-19.html
Current Mental Health and Addiction Online/Telephone Resources:
ConnexOntario: Adults and frontline workers that are dealing with the realities of COVID-19 can call ConnexOntario at: 1-866-531-2600 for mental health, addictions and problem gambling support. Learn more at: connexontario.ca.
Kids Help Phone: Children and youth 18 and under who need to talk to someone about their mental health can call KidsHelpPhone at: 1-800-668-6868, for 24/7 virtual, phone and text support. Learn more at: kidshelpphone.ca.
BounceBack Ontario: A free, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program that provides guided mental health self-help supports for adults and youth 15+ using workbooks, online videos and phone coaching. Call: 1-866-345-0224 and learn more at: bouncebackontario.ca.
Good2Talk: A 24/7 phone and texting service that provides confidential mental health and addictions support to post-secondary students. Call 1-866-925-5454, text GOOD2TALKON to 686868, and learn more at good2talk.ca.